Trade Fair: Top Drawer Returns to London with Innovation and Commercial Focus

 The Top Drawer S/S26 trade fair is set to open its doors at Olympia London from 11 to 13 January 2026, bringing together the UK’s design-led brands, retailers and industry influencers for three days of discovery, commerce, networking and insight. 

Now established as the leading destination for independent and speciality retail sourcing, Top Drawer’s “Fast FWD to Design” theme signals a forward-looking programme that blends curated product showcases with commercial insight and trend foresight. The show’s organisers report significant growth in exhibitor numbers and sector diversity, reflecting strong demand from both established buyers and new entrants to the market.

More than 550 contemporary exhibitors will present across seven curated sectors, including Home, Gift, Fashion, Wellbeing, Play, Greetings & Stationery, and Launchpad, an area dedicated to emerging designers and makers, according to the organisers.  They say around 26 per cent of exhibitors are new to the show, while key categories such as PLAY, Home and Fashion are experiencing double-digit growth compared with previous editions. 

For retail buyers, Top Drawer delivers a blend of trend insights, practical workshops and live pitches as part of its expanded content offering. The Retail Revealed Live stage returns with future-facing talks and expert panels, while The Social Studio, a new addition for 2026, provides hands-on sessions aimed at helping brands refine their digital and social media strategies. 

The Headline Speaker this season is Nick Robertson, Co-Founder of ASOS, who is bringing a high-profile perspective on scaling an international online fashion brand; his session is expected to include insights into customer behaviour, strategy, and the future of retail growth.

Speakers who will focus on Retail Strategy and Innovation are Hanan Tantush, Founder & Creative Director, Intotum on co-designing with disabled communities shapes adaptive fashion and inclusive product development; and Kate & Lyns, Co-founders, Buying & Beyond, who will feature in the Buying & Beyond Podcast LIVE, exploring how AI can support smarter retail operations and merchandising. 

On the topic of Brand Building, Marketing and Social Media, speakers Kirsty Raper and Andie McDowell, Co-founders, Reels Rockstars will share practical guidance on avoiding common pitfalls when using Reels and other short-form formats.  Aggie Meroni, Founder of White Bee Digital, is a Specialist in creative digital advertising and will lead discussions on simple ad creatives and platform strategies. 

Other speakers include Andrea Rainsford, Creator, Buyology who will explore the psychology of buyer behaviour, helping retailers understand what drives purchase decisions; Priscilla Pollara, Founder & PR Coach of Top Trick to address how founders can communicate clearly about their business to better engage customers and media.  Alice Loveday, Founder, Loveday Social will host a hands-on Social Studio masterclass to demonstrate real-time content creation for social platforms with attendee participation, while Cara Bendon, Brand Consultant, will speak on differentiating a brand in crowded markets and building iconic positioning.

A particularly notable feature for this season is Product Pitch, developed in partnership with Retail Huddle and co.lective Pop-Up. This live pitching event gives selected exhibitors the opportunity to present directly to industry judges in front of a live audience — a format organisers describe as bringing investment-style energy to a traditional trade fair setting. 

Trend forecasting remains a core component of the show’s draw. Working with The Better Trends Co., Top Drawer will showcase season-defining insights that translate emerging aesthetic and consumer shifts into commercially relevant guidance for buyers. 

Industry leaders have welcomed the return of Top Drawer, emphasising its value as a sourcing platform that combines creative discovery with serious buying opportunities. According to prior show data, previous editions have attracted a substantial increase in high-budget buyers and international attendance, underlining the event’s growing global relevance. 

Top Drawer S/S26 also offers structured networking and business support through the Business Hub, where attendees can access mentoring, strategy sessions and expert advice tailored to independent and design-focused retailers. 

Organisers expect the January edition to set the tone for retail buying and design trends entering the Spring/Summer 2026 season, reinforcing Top Drawer’s reputation as an essential fixture in the UK retail calendar.

Images from Top Drawer

Trade fair Top Drawer opens January 15 to kickstart the 2023 buying season at Olympia London

Top Drawer has opened on January 15th at Olympia in the heart of Kensington, London, reporting a buzzing atmosphere on the first day that attracted trade buyers from some of the biggest retailers from the UK and abroad, including Harvey Nichols, HMV, Harrods, Glasgow Museums, John Lewis, Oliver Bonas, National Trust, the Government of South Australia and Dobbie’s Garden Centre. Still registered to attend and source over the next two days are the likes of Liberty, Selfridges, Wolf & Badger, The Conran Shop, SCP, Aria, Fortnum & Mason, TJ Maxx Europe, Fenwicks, Marks & Spencers, Waitrose, the Walt Disney Company, and Waterstones.  

The London trade fair's S/S 2023 edition slated for January 15 - 17 2023  features 1000s of new launches across nine curated sectors -  Home, Wellbeing, Gift, Fashion, Food Emporium, Craft, Greetings Cards & Stationery, Play and Launchpad for promising new talent – to help buyers source the key products for the season ahead, and professional visitors to grasp in one venue the key trends that will help drive business.  

Organisers say 50% of exhibitors are exclusive to the show and 25% are making their Top Drawer debut. More than 500 brands from the UK and abroad are presented in this latest edition, including the likes of Aery, British Colour Standard, CABAIA, Inside Out Toys, Kind Bag, Lifeguard Press + Ban.do, LIGA, Ohh Deer, Poppy + Ted, Reeves & Reeves, Roger La Borde, Scream Pretty, Swole Panda, The Bottled Baking Co. and Wanderlust Paper Co. to name just a few, showcasing their latest product launches and Christmas collections.

Featured are Discovery Journal; Dahlia London Official; Charlotte's Web Jewellery;
Trixie Baby and We Are Proper Good
All images from Top Drawer SS 2023.

Show Manager, David Westbrooke said: “As the first show of the year, we understand just how important it is that Top Drawer offers our visitors the most exciting and inspiring sourcing opportunities of the season. In addition, the unique curation process that makes Top Drawer the event that it is, saves retailers time and effort by hand-selecting only the very best established brands and emerging names for them to discover on the show floor.”

Joanna Hockett, International Sales Manager for Lifeguard Press further expands on the appeal of the event: “Top Drawer is easily our favourite trade show - the timing, the location and the buyers here put it a cut above the rest, and this season is no exception!”

Once again The Better Trends Co. are providing attendees an exclusive trend forecast service unveiling fully two of the biggest trends for the season ahead at the show.   

Musango - HOME

“Rhythmic form” is a trend that emphasises the use of repetitive shapes and patterns to create a sense of visual harmony within a space and usher in a feeling of calm. By utilising a variety of materials and textures, this timeless trend can be easily incorporated into any space and is just what we need as we enter 2023. 

“Modern psychedelic”, on the other hand, is a trend characterised by bold, vibrant colours and patterns that evoke a sense of defiant, unapologetic joy. This style often features a mix of geometric shapes and organic curves, as well as a variety of textures and materials to create an eye-catching look that is sure to turn heads. 

Locomocean - GIFT

Tihara Smith - LAUNCHPAD

Alongside the top brands and household names, fresh new talent will be put in the spotlight in the “Launchpad” sector (which made its debut during the SS22 edition),  allowing them to network with high-calibre buyers and build lasting connections within the industry. For this edition, we’ll also see the return of the show’s partnership with the University of Arts London who have been hand-selected to showcase their products and are eager to increase their brand exposure.    

In addition, RetailFest has lined up speakers to inspire visitors, to offer advice and support for businesses by presenting their new Ecommerce Insight programme at Top Drawer S/S23. This will help businesses to tackle digital strategy head on, with actionable takeaways from sessions covering SEO, audience engagement and online advertising.

Speakers include the likes of Cath Kidson, The Conran Shop's Campbell Thompson, Oliver Bonas' Camilla Tress and more, offering the inside scoop on the industry, plus tips to help businesses to understand social media, how to engage with customers and operate sustainably plus marketing insights.

Registration for Top Drawer is free for professional buyers and store owners; more information on registration, exhibiting brands and seminar sessions can be found at their website. 

Happy 90th Birthday, Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse is 90 years old.
Congratulations Mickey and thank you for all the fun and entertainment you've provided us all these years.

Ingersoll Limited Edition The Walt Disney Quartz Gents Mickey Mouse Watch.

Photo: Lucia Carpio

By George, this Teddy may help heal a broken heart!

Feeling bruised and broken-hearted from the Referendum result? This Teddy may provide you some tender loving that you may need in the healing process, at least in the short-term.

George is a limited edition teddy bear of just 250, perfect as a family heirloom to be handed down from generation to generation,  Specially commissioned by Highgrove and traditionally hand-made by Merrythought in the company’s original factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire,  George has been  brought to life using 85 years of skills and excellence.

George is fully jointed with hand sewn features and a fine mohair coat. His pads and paws have been crafted with purple velvet and a beautifully embroidered Highgrove crest, while a matching satin ribbon is tied in a bow around his neck to finish.  His fully jointed limbs bring his character to life, along with the finest of golden mohair coats and a satin Highgrove bow tied around his neck.

This plush Teddy bear will make a cherished addition to the family with adorable hand-sewn features, including a soft-stitched nose and luxe velvet paws, embroidered with the Highgrove Feathers.  His makers, Merrythought, have been hand-making the quintessential English teddy bear in the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge, Shropshire, since 1930 and George is one of their latest creations made exclusively for Highgrove.

Presented in a classic Merrythought collector’s box, he is available to buy online at www.highgrovegardens.com or by visiting one of the Highgrove shops in Tetbury, Gloucestershire; Cribbs Causeway, Bristol; or on the Highgrove Estate.